Permanent residence requirements and revocation grounds are written into law from 1 April 2027
Act No. 60 of 2024 takes effect on 1 April 2027, except for some provisions. The agency says the new wording writes existing practice into law and adds no new requirement.
What changes
Act No. 60 of 2024, which also creates the Employment for Skill Development status, writes the permanent residence requirements and the grounds for revoking permanent resident status into the Immigration Control Act. It takes effect on 1 April 2027 except for some provisions.
Permanent residence requirements
From 1 April 2027, Article 22(2) allows a permanent residence permit only if the applicant is of good conduct and has independent means, and the Minister also finds that compliance with legal obligations and payment of taxes and public charges show that the stay serves Japan’s interest. Spouses and children of Japanese nationals, permanent residents or special permanent residents are exempt from the first two conditions.
The Immigration Services Agency says the amendment writes existing guideline practice into the law. It says this does not add a new requirement or make permanent residence screening stricter.
Revocation
- A permanent resident who fails to comply with obligations under the Act, or intentionally does not pay taxes and public charges, becomes subject to revocation of that status at the Minister’s discretion.
- The crime-based ground covers only certain serious intentional offenses punished with imprisonment. Negligent driving accidents, traffic-law offenses and fines alone do not trigger it.
- Even when a ground applies, the Minister normally changes the status to another one, mostly Long-Term Resident, instead of revoking it, unless the person is judged unsuitable to remain in Japan.
- The agency published guidelines on revoking permanent resident status that start operating on 1 April 2027, responding to a Diet resolution calling for careful application.
Under consideration, not decided
The government says it is considering making attendance of a Japanese language and life learning program a condition for permanent residence, and widening the grounds for revocation, after the April 2027 law takes effect.
What to check
Read the agency’s Q&A on the permanent residence system and the revocation guideline for the exact conditions, and the law text in e-Gov for the wording of Article 22.
Sources
- ISA: Amendments to the Immigration Control Act (Act No. 60 of 2024) ↗ moj.go.jp
- ISA: Q&A on the permanent residence system ↗ moj.go.jp
- ISA: Guidelines on revoking permanent resident status ↗ moj.go.jp
- Cabinet Secretariat: Comprehensive Measures, direction of future efforts (July 2026) ↗ cas.go.jp
- e-Gov: Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (choose the version in force from 1 April 2027) ↗ laws.e-gov.go.jp
Last checked 24 October 2026
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Policy changes · 8 rulebook entries
- Act No. 60 of 2024, which creates the new employment-for-skill-development status and writes permanent residence requirements and revocation grounds…
- From 1 April 2027 Article 22(2) allows a permanent residence permit only if the applicant is of good conduct and has independent means, and the Minis…
- The agency says the amendment writes existing guideline practice into the law and does not add a new requirement or make permanent residence screenin…
- From 1 April 2027 a permanent resident who fails to comply with obligations under the Act or intentionally does not pay taxes and public charges beco…
- The crime-based revocation ground covers only certain serious intentional offenses punished with imprisonment; negligent driving accidents, traffic-l…
Show 3 more
- Even when a ground applies, the Minister normally changes the status to another one, mostly Long-Term Resident, instead of revoking it, unless the pe…
- The agency published guidelines on revoking permanent resident status that start operating on 1 April 2027, responding to a Diet resolution calling f…
- The government is considering making attendance of a Japanese language and life learning program a condition for permanent residence, and widening th…
Information only. Not legal advice and not an official service. Check the official source and consult the Immigration Services Agency or a licensed administrative scrivener (行政書士) before you decide.